Does a Brain Scan Show Lyme Disease?

Having trouble concentrating? Feeling anxious or depressed? Making uncharacteristically poor decisions? You might visit a psychiatrist or psychologist for answers. Based on your symptoms, you might get diagnosed with a mental health disorder. In some cases, however, the real culprit behind these symptoms is Lyme disease. But most traditional mental health professionals would never know it, because they don’t do brain imaging or lab testing to look for underlying infections.

What exactly does a brain scan reveal about Lyme disease? And why is it so important if you have symptoms that aren’t responding to standard mental health treatments? In this blog, you’ll learn how misdiagnosis of Lyme disease can lead to a lifetime of health woes that can persist and worsen over time. And how functional brain SPECT imaging can be the key to getting a proper Lyme disease diagnosis and the most effective treatment.

WHAT IS LYME DISEASE?

Lyme disease is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, which occurs through the bite of an infected tick. Deer ticks, also called black-legged ticks, are the carriers of Lyme disease, named for its first identification in Lyme, Connecticut, in 1975.

These ticks are found in the Eastern half of the United States, as well as on the West Coast. They frequent wooded areas, often hiding out in leaves or at the top of long grasses, and they quickly attach themselves to humans or pets that are passing through.

Ticks prefer warm and moist environments on the body, and in these areas, they can often burrow into the skin unnoticed. Like any parasite, they attach and feed on the blood of the host. If carrying Lyme disease, the tick can pass along the bacteria in only 36 to 48 hours, so it’s important to find them and remove them from the body as soon as possible.

And it’s not only woodsmen, outdoors lovers, or hikers who are at risk—these parasites can be present in your own backyard. Though ticks are most active in warmer temperatures, from spring to early fall, they can be a year-round presence (this varies according to region). Keep in mind that pets and children can be especially vulnerable, as they are more likely to get bitten without noticing.

LYME DISEASE SYMPTOMS

Many people associate Lyme disease with its trademark rash, shaped like a bull’s-eye. But this symptom occurs only in a subset of people. The CDC reports that 70% to 80% of people develop Lyme disease rashes. Physicians at Amen Clinics, however, estimate that rashes occur in only 20% to 40% of patients.

A bull’s-eye rash usually develops within 3 to 7 days of the bite and then grows in size, up to as much as 1 foot in diameter. This area of skin may feel warmer to the touch, but it’s not typically painful or itchy.

Other symptoms that may develop in the first month of infection include flu-like illness (including fever, chills, and/or body aches), fatigue or exhaustion, headaches, sleep disturbances, mood swings, impaired brain function, increased sensitivity to light or sounds, or paralysis on half of the face called Bell’s palsy.

Additional symptoms of Lyme disease can lead to very serious concerns that affect the entire body, such as:

• Limb, nerve, and joint pain
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Racing heart or irregular heartbeat
• Central nervous system effects, caused by brain or spinal cord inflammation
• Drastic blood pressure changes
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia

Research shows that many people also experience cognitive and neuropsychiatric issues, such as:

• Memory problems
• Trouble focusing or concentrating
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Psychosis
• Personality disorders

Some Lyme disease patients have cases that persist over long periods, even after treatment, leading to Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). Late-stage or persistent cases can experience symptoms like progressive dementias, seizure disorders, strokes, movement disorders like Parkinson’s, or loss of vision.

In 2021, a study involving data from more than 12,000 Lyme disease patients reported that they had a 28% increased rate of mental health disorders compared to people without the diagnosis. Even more alarming, they were twice as likely to attempt suicide.

These issues can be worsened through common problems around Lyme, such as a lack of understanding among both family members and the medical community, plus the ongoing misdiagnosis that can continue for years.

WHAT BRAIN SCANS REVEAL ABOUT LYME DISEASE

Lyme disease is notoriously difficult to detect and too often overlooked. Most medical professionals use blood tests for diagnosis, which can lead to false negative results. They can also miss co-infections that may be present with Lyme. At the same time, it’s crucial to catch this disease early before it leads to further problems, and antibiotic treatment is more effective in earlier stages.

An accurate diagnosis is the first step to recovery from this potentially devastating condition. The good news is, that functional brain scans can be helpful in Lyme diagnosis. The brain SPECT imaging work at Amen Clinics—which includes over 225,000 brain scans on tens of patients—reveals certain patterns of brain activity that are associated with Lyme disease and other infections.

In particular, SPECT scans that show a scalloping pattern with overall decreased blood flow to the brain indicate possible infections. This pattern is also associated with drug or alcohol abuse, exposure to environmental toxins, hypothyroidism, and other issues.

Seeing the scalloping pattern on a SPECT scan prompts psychiatrists and integrative medicine (also called functional medicine) physicians to ask important questions. This encourages to a deeper investigation into what is causing the scalloping and can lead to a Lyme disease diagnosis.

LYME DISEASE TREATMENT

In the case of Lyme disease, treating the infection is the first step in the healing process. Early-stage Lyme disease treatment may consist only of antibiotics. When detected later, however, you may require additional treatments for related issues such as anxiety or depression.

To further heal from Lyme-related symptoms, it’s important to follow a “brain rehab program.” In general, this involves avoiding anything that harms the brain and proactively engaging in habits that support brain health.

If you or someone you know may be infected with Lyme disease, seek help. Be sure to look for an integrative medicine physician or psychiatrist who uses brain imaging and is well-versed in treating the condition.

Lyme disease and its associated psychiatric and cognitive issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.